eisman
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2009
- Messages
- 6,921
It took me a while to pull the trigger on this one, but I'm glad I did. Bridge Cutlery of St Louis was a house brand for Shapleigh Hardware and folded in 1931 due to the Depression. I have a fondness for this pattern, scarce as it is, and this specimen is in excellent condition.
I thought I'd compare it to some of my other knives in this pattern, and I'll add some pictures so you don't all get too bored.
The knives I'm using for comparison are the Chief Cutlery Jack I picked up late last year, the GEC made 2013 BF knife, and a Fight'n Rooster conveniently dated 1982.
First thing I noticed is that, while the same length as the FR & GEC, the Bridge is taller. The body is deeper and the main blade sits higher. Shields on this pattern (and all Congress patterns IMO) are a matter of taste. Those other than bars don't really have room to be large or wide and the Congress is a fairly slim pattern. But I think that when offset to one side they tend to unbalance the look. But with a Jack it also makes sense to have a shield to the main joint side. I have to admit that this pattern does look clean without a shield.
It also appears that using a long straight pull allows the cutler to seat the blades a bit lower in the body.
In fact, the Wharncliff blade on the FR should have allowed the pen to sit lower than it does, and looking at these lined up in this manner it becomes apparent just how well GEC managed to sink the joints.
It's also apparent that the main blades tend to make the most of the length they are allowed. Pens tend to vary as much as the main blades do, but other than the Chief they also tend to be fairly substantial; more like the size of a "normal" Congress main blade in size.
As you can see the Bridge pen is larger than any of the others. It uses 2/3 of the length of the main blade, and it's taller also. Likewise the main blade is a large Sheepsfoot and does not have the "long" appearance of the GEC or Chief.
The blades have excellent walk and talk, a bit stiff compared to the GEC. Both blades have a half stop. Overall a very handsome knife. I could wish for the bolsters to be threaded, but it's a little late to spec that. My hat's off to the man who built this.
I thought I'd compare it to some of my other knives in this pattern, and I'll add some pictures so you don't all get too bored.
The knives I'm using for comparison are the Chief Cutlery Jack I picked up late last year, the GEC made 2013 BF knife, and a Fight'n Rooster conveniently dated 1982.
First thing I noticed is that, while the same length as the FR & GEC, the Bridge is taller. The body is deeper and the main blade sits higher. Shields on this pattern (and all Congress patterns IMO) are a matter of taste. Those other than bars don't really have room to be large or wide and the Congress is a fairly slim pattern. But I think that when offset to one side they tend to unbalance the look. But with a Jack it also makes sense to have a shield to the main joint side. I have to admit that this pattern does look clean without a shield.
It also appears that using a long straight pull allows the cutler to seat the blades a bit lower in the body.
In fact, the Wharncliff blade on the FR should have allowed the pen to sit lower than it does, and looking at these lined up in this manner it becomes apparent just how well GEC managed to sink the joints.
It's also apparent that the main blades tend to make the most of the length they are allowed. Pens tend to vary as much as the main blades do, but other than the Chief they also tend to be fairly substantial; more like the size of a "normal" Congress main blade in size.
As you can see the Bridge pen is larger than any of the others. It uses 2/3 of the length of the main blade, and it's taller also. Likewise the main blade is a large Sheepsfoot and does not have the "long" appearance of the GEC or Chief.
The blades have excellent walk and talk, a bit stiff compared to the GEC. Both blades have a half stop. Overall a very handsome knife. I could wish for the bolsters to be threaded, but it's a little late to spec that. My hat's off to the man who built this.
